Saddest songs?

[rick James]

I love a good sad song, I reckon most people do.

Lately I've been playing Alice in Chains - Nutshell a lot. When I read the lyrics to this track, they almost seem a bit easy, a bit simple. But when you hear the song, well, let me just say I wouldn't want to be listening to this on a come down.

I don't know if it's partially because of Layne's fate, but this song just really gets to me. I don't even think he's singing exclusively about his addiction or anything, I think it's more about how he didn't feel anyone had a right to discuss it or anything to do with his personal life. It's definitely dealing with a lot of isolation, but I can't really put my finger on any lyrics being particularly profound or even sad in their own right - but Layne's singing is just amazing, it's as if his voice is saying more than the lyrics.

 

[embleygirl]

I Know It's Over by The Smiths.

It starts off with, "Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head." It's a song about loneliness and wanting to love and be loved. A very intense and emotional song and brilliantly written and performed.

 

[AdelUniCrowFan]

You probably can't go past Johnny Cash's version of Hurt.

 

[Roddy]

Rush's 'Tears'. It's all there in the name: saddest song ever....

 

[G.O.B]

I felt sad after hearing Slayer's "Raining Blood" knowing that i would never hear a better metal song in my entire life.
That was 1986 and I'm still waiting.

 

[Portmanteau]

Needle in the Hay by Elliot Smith

That's what came to mind, probably could come up with a lot more if I put my mind to it

 

[Lidge]

American Pie.

It was the day music died.

 

[Atreyu]

"Hurt" - Nine Inch Nails

 

[mbuck]

fremantle theme song, so sad it never gets played

 

[Cm Perfect]

Hmmm, there's several types of sad songs you could come up with.

There's ones like Pearl Jam's "Black" which has very sad lyrics but is so anthemic and cathartic it ends up almost triumphant.

Then there's ones like Art of Fighting's "Reasons Are All I Have Left" or Sarah Blasko's cover of "Flame Trees" which are very low-key, but are so damn gorgeous you have to love them.

Then there's bands like The Cure and Joy Division who are just dark, morbid bastards, so the sadness gets diluted somewhat by their style.

I think the saddest songs I've heard are "Katy Song" by Red House Painters, the ultimate slit-your-wrists band, and "Working Class Hero" by John Lennon, purely because it's such a sober and world-weary comedown from the guy who wrote "She Loves You".

 

[Barry Zuckercorn]

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

 

[- PC -]

Changes- Black Sabbath

Empty Garden- Elton John

 

[legitimatic]

fremantle theme song, so sad it never gets played

 

[Brittany]

For me it has to be "Slide Away" by Michael Hutchence and Bono which was on Michaels last album
The lyrics are just so sad and I basically cry everytime I hear it, as much as I don't like Bono he sounds beautiful in this song.

I just wanna slide away and come alive again
I will see that love again, and find a life again

I wish he would

 

[HorseHead]

Soundgarden - Head Down. Probably the least "typical" Soundgarden song I can think of. Doesn't leap out at you the first few times you hear it, but like most really good songs that last (i.e. bear repeated listens over a lengthy period of time) it really grows on you. Absolute corker of a track.

 

[Carlos]

I love a good sad song, I reckon most people do.

Lately I've been playing Alice in Chains - Nutshell a lot. When I read the lyrics to this track, they almost seem a bit easy, a bit simple. But when you hear the song, well, let me just say I wouldn't want to be listening to this on a come down.

I don't know if it's partially because of Layne's fate, but this song just really gets to me. I don't even think he's singing exclusively about his addiction or anything, I think it's more about how he didn't feel anyone had a right to discuss it or anything to do with his personal life. It's definitely dealing with a lot of isolation, but I can't really put my finger on any lyrics being particularly profound or even sad in their own right - but Layne's singing is just amazing, it's as if his voice is saying more than the lyrics.

One of your better posts mate.

Agree completely and relate entirely. That unplugged version chokes me up for several reasons, none the least that we were robbed of hearing those beautiful harmonies for much longer because Layne chose the needle over adding to what was a magnificent career.

Neil Young's "Out on the Weekend" just about takes it for me. I started discovering uncle Neil when i'd just broken up with my last serious girlfriend and this song just about did my head in. Didnt stop me from listening to it over and over of course.

Jimmy Eat World's "Drugs or Me" also hits a sore spot with me. The song is incredibly beautiful but has a distorted feedback sound running throughout it which perfectly reflects the lyrcial content up, which is also something i can sadly relate to.

Dave Matthews has a song off his solo album called "Grave Digger", but to hear him do it live just him and his accoustic is full on. DMB also do a tune called "Grace is Gone" which aint exactly a barrel of laughs either.

Billy Corgan was good for a few too. "Soma" in particular is one of the Pumpkins more overcast moments.

Brad's "Upon My Shoulders" is another one to really enhance a vibe if your vibe happens to be dark.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Tears in Heaven-Eric Clapton

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Some good ones posted so far.
A few off the top of the head...

So Real - Jeff Buckley. Considering the lyrics and how he died it is pretty sad.

Suicide note Part 1 - Pantera. I think even the most hard core metal fans found this song pretty moving when listening to it. Of course it could have been that they were just still in anticipation of the much louder Part 2...

Blowers Daughter - Damian Rice. Just a pretty sad song all round really.

 

[The Dice Man]

Morning Theft by Jeff Buckley 'I miss my beautiful friend'

The Day You Went Away by Wendy Matthews

Success Has Made a Failure of Our Home - Sinead O'Connor

Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor

Mother - John Lennon

God - John Lennon

 

[Mad Dog]

Changes - Black Sabbath

 

[finrod]

Beck - Golden Age

In fact quite a few songs off Sea Change are quite sad...

 

[vast]

vast - flames

the verve - velvet morning

the verve - drugs dont work

sigur ros - ny batteri

 

[Hard Ball Get]

the verve - drugs dont work

Ben Harpers version of the same song done on his live album is stunning.

 

[The Dice Man]

vast - flames

the verve - velvet morning

the verve - drugs dont work

sigur ros - ny batteri

Ive got a Sigur Ros disc here and the entire album is kinda sad, but uplifting at the same time. Kind of like finding happiness in your sadness.

 

[vast]

Ive got a Sigur Ros disc here and the entire album is kinda sad, but uplifting at the same time. Kind of like finding happiness in your sadness.

Yeah your right, but that one has the most impact for me.

Your statement also reminds me of the tool song "reflection" which is also kinda sad, the part when he says "finding peace within the emptiness"